Kalenjin MPs differ bitterly on war against graft

Three Members of Parliament from the Rift Valley differed publicly over ongoing war on corruption that has seen senior parastatal officers sent parking.
Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter clashed with MPs Brighton Yegon(konoin) and Gideon Koskei (Chepalungu) on the need stand with members of Kalenjin community being suspected of graft.
Yegon said the war on corruption was only targeting parastatal managers from Kalenjin community saying war on corruption had become a political tool.
“Every other time those being  hunted for alleged mismanagement of public funds majority are Kalenjin. The war on graft should be fair and not then into a witch hunt…” Yegon said.
He said the way graft suspects from the Kalenjin community were being handle was telling.
“I do not support corruption but the current war should be fair and objective,” added Yegon.
Chepalungu MP Gideon Koskei shared Yegon sentiments saying Kalenjin leaders suspected of graft are being pushed and harassed even during the weekends.
Koskei said there was need for the government to ensure that suspects are treated equally.
He also took issue with hose being picked to replaced suspects being send home.
The Chama Cha Mashinani legislator said the war on graft was being used to shortchange the Kalenjin.
“Graft suspects are being replaced by people from other communities and as a community we are not happy and we believe this is a ploy to Shortchange us,” he said.
However, the Nandi Hills MP dismissed their assertion saying the he suspects messed as individuals and not on behave of the community.
Keter said the suspects should carry their own cross and not hide behind the community.
“The suspect stole not on behave of Kalenjins but for their selfish gains and they should not hide behind us,” added Keter.
He said the government should not relent in fight against  graft.
Keter said Kenyans are losing billions and we have no business supporting suspects who enriched themselves with public resources.
“Kenyans are losing billions which ought to have been channel to development and therefore suspects must be held accountable,” he said.
The leaders spoke during the homecoming party of Cosmas Korir who won Sportpesa mega jackpot of Sh208 million.
The homecoming was also attended by former governor Isaac Ruto, Lugari MP Ayub Savula and several Members of County Assembly.
The leaders also said there was an urgent need to address issues affecting tea prices.
They hailed a bill before senate spo scored by Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot saying it should be used to address tea farmers grivances.